Nigerians are being ethnically cleansed out of the UK for a whole range of ridiculous reasons – the most celebrated one being – “they are illegal”.
UK which is regard as a “rule of law” country delights in forceful removal of Nigerians from the country without due process.
The latest problem has arisen because UK imposes unreasonable conditions on Arik Air. Under a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA), which Nigeria signed with the government of Britain.
Both countries agreed that airlines from the UK would fly 21 times to Nigeria and air lines from Nigeria would do likewise.
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have always availed of the frequency distribution of flights into and out of Nigeria, as stipulated in the BASA
Arik Air Nigeria operates from Lagos to Heathrow and from Abuja to Heathrow seven times a week each.
BA flies from both Abuja and Lagos for the same number of flights. Virgin Atlantic flies to Heathrow from Lagos seven times a week.
No penalty is imposed upon British International Carriers.
The FG decided to slash the number of flights by BA from 7 flights to 4 flights. The Federal Government’s decision was forced on the Minister because UK Airport Coordination Limited (ACL) denies Arik landing slots at Heathrow.
Arik spokesperson said that when it was Arik’s time to fly from Abuja to London, the British Government informed the Company that there were no slots and that the only option open to Arik was to rent slots from BMI (British Midland International) at £1.4 million between 2009 and 2010.
Arik spokesperson said that the Company paid £600,000 by way of an initial deposit. The spokesperson added that Arik was paying £52,250 per month, which has now been increased to £90,000 per month.
The Chairman of Arik Air is Sir Joseph Arumemi Ikhide. He emphatically confirmed that BASA favours British carriers and is of little benefit to Arik Air.
Informed sources from the Ministry of Aviation in Nigeria now believe that the Minister is looking at a number of International Carriers that operates flights to MM International, Ikeja, Lagos.
The Minister may deem fit to impose conditions on KLM – Royal Dutch Airlines, which in 2005 teamed up with Air France